Supporters

On the dexter Side: the Genius of America (represented by a Maiden with loose Auburn Tresses, having on her Head a radiated Crown, of Gold, encircled with a Sky-blue Fillet Spangled with Silver Stars; and clothed in a long, loose, white garment, bordered with Green: from her right Shoulder to her left Side, a Scarf semé of Stars, the Tinctures thereof the same as in the Canton; and round her Waist a purple Girdle fringed or; embroidered, Argent, with the Word “Virtue”:)—resting her interior Hand on the Escutcheon; and holding in the other the proper Standard of the United States, having a Dove, argent, perched on the Top of it.

On the sinister side: a Man in complete Armour; his Sword-belt, Azure, fringed with Gold; his Helmet encircled with a Wreath of Laurel, and crested with one white & two blue Plumes: supporting with his dexter Hand the Escutcheon, and holding, in the exterior, a Lance with the point sanguinated; and upon it a Banner displayed, Vert,—in the Fess-point an Harp, or, stringed with Silver, between a Star in Chief, two Fleurs-de-lis in Fess, and a pair of Swords in Saltier, in Base, all Argent. The Tenants of the Escutcheon stand on a Scroll, on which the following Motto—

“Deo favente”—

which alludes to the Eye in the Arms, meant for the Eye of Providence.

Over the Crest, in a Scroll, this Motto—

“Virtus sola invicta”—

which requires no comment.

The thirteen pieces, barways, which fill up the Field of the Arms, may represent the several States; and the same Number of Stars upon a blue Canton, disposed in a Circle, represent a new Constellation, which alludes to the new Empire, formed in the World by the Confœderation of those States—Their Disposition, in the form of a circle, denotes the Perpetuity of its Continuance, the Ring being the Symbol of Eternity. The Eagle displayed is the Symbol of Supreme Power & Authority, and signifies the Congress; the Pillar, upon which it rests, is used as the Hieroglyphic of Fortitude & Constancy; and, it’s being of the Doric Order, (which is the best proportioned & most agreeable to Nature,) & composed of several Members or parts, all, taken together, forming a beautiful Composition of Strength, Congruity & Usefulness, it may with great propriety signify a well planned Government. The Eagle, being placed on the Summit of the Column, is emblematical of the Sovereignty of the Government of the United States; and, as further expressive of that Idea, those two Charges or Figures are borne on a Pale, which extends across the thirteen pieces into which the Escutcheon is divided. The Signification of the Eye has been already explained.

The Helmet is such as appertains to Sovereignty; and the Cap is used as the Token of Freedom & Excellency: It was formerly worn by Dukes “because,” says Guillim, “they Had a more worthy Government than other Subjects.”—The Cock is distinguished for two most excellent Qualities, Necessary in a free Country, viz. Vigilance & Fortitude.

The Genius of the American confœderated Republic is denoted by her blue Scarf & Fillet, glittering with Stars, and by the Flag of Congress which she displays. Her Dress is white edged with green; Colours emblematical of Innocence and Youth. Her purple Girdle & radiated Crown indicate her Sovereignty: the Word “Virtue” on the former is to show, that that should be her principal Ornament; and the radiated Crown, that no Earthly Crown shall rule her. The Dove on the Top of the American Standard denotes the Mildness & Lenity of her Government.

The Knight in Armour with his bloody Lance represents the Military Genius of the American Empire, armed in Defence of its just Rights. His blue Belt & blue Feathers indicate his Country, & the white Plume is in Compliment to our gallant Ally. The Wreath of Laurel round his Helmet is expressive of his Success. The Green Field of the Banner denotes Youth and Vigor; the Harp is emblematical of the several States acting in Harmony & Concert; the Star, in Chief, has reference to America, as principal in the Contest; the two Fleurs-de-lis are borne as a grateful [^[22]] Testimonial of the Support given to her by France; and the two Swords, crossing each other, signify a State of War. This Tenant & his Flag relate, totally, to America at the Time of her Revolution.

William Barton.

This, the first device of Barton, was not illustrated, and his second device, of which he offered a colored drawing, differed from it in that he transferred the eye to the reverse and the eagle from the summit of the column to the crest, thereby eliminating the cock. He put at the summit of the column a phœnix rising from the flames, left out the American flag from the dexter supporter’s hand, and changed the sinister supporter from a warrior in armor to one in continental uniform, holding in his hand a baton instead of a lance. He also left out the harp and the fleur-de-lis and transferred the motto to the reverse. The fleur-de-lis was proposed to commemorate the alliance with France, this being the only report in which the alliance figured. The design is important, because it establishes the fact that the idea had become fixed of having in the seal the thirteen stars, the blue field, and thirteen stripes of red and white or white and red. In this design appears for the first time the eagle.

Barton’s second design was addressed to “The Hon^ble. Elias Boudinot, Esq^r. & Arthur Lee Es^q. In Congress.”

Device for an Armorial Atchievement & Reverse of a Great Seal, for the United States of North America: proposed by William Barton, Esq^r. A. M.—

Blazoned according to the Laws of Heraldry—